Discover Your Future as a Board Certified Physician

As you grow into your role as a physician, American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) board certification becomes a powerful way to show you’ve put in the work and that you’re committed to learning, improving, and providing patient care patients can trust.

Explore specialties, understand board certification, and hear from physicians who’ve reached important milestones in their careers.

More than one million physicians in the United States hold an ABMS board certification.

We asked a few of them what this milestone means and why they are proud to be part of a community committed to high‑quality care (video).

See What It Means to Be One in a Million

Who is ABMS?

ABMS sets the standards for physician board certification across 24 medical specialty Member Boards. For students, ABMS represents the expectations you’ll follow as you grow into a specialist and shape your future career.
Learn about ABMS.

Board Certification vs. Licensure

A medical license allows you to practice medicine. Board certification goes further—it demonstrates specialty expertise, advanced training, and a commitment to high quality care. Employers, patients, and health systems often look for it.
Learn about board certification

What Do the ABMS Member Boards Do?

Each of the 24 ABMS Member Boards develops specialty standards, administers certification exams, and supports your lifelong learning as a physician.
Meet the Member Boards

Find your path in medicine with ABMS.

ABMS sets the standards for board certification you’ll grow toward as you prepare to become a trusted specialist in the communities you serve. Learn more about ABMS and board certification.

Why ABMS Board Certification Matters

Certification supports you in:

Delivering safer, more effective care
Building trust with patients and colleagues
Standing out for residencies, fellowships, and jobs
Staying current in a fast moving field

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Where Do Your Interests Align?

Medicine offers many pathways. Whether you’re drawn to procedures, diagnostics, patient relationships, or population health, there’s a specialty and often a subspecialty that fits your interests. ABMS Member Boards offer board certification in 38 specialties and 89 subspecialties.

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2026 ABMS Guide to Medical Specialties Cover

Explore Specialties

Review the ABMS Guide to Medical Specialties for a list of areas where physicians and medical specialists can be certified, and descriptions of each specialty and subspecialty area.

Download the ABMS Guide to Medical Specialties

Get the latest news on medical specialties

ABMS Insights, our free newsletter, connects you with the ABMS community; featuring news about board certification and the 24 certifying boards that compose ABMS. Learn about their latest programs, initiatives, and innovations, and hear from guest columnists.